If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Kennel Club figures show that the number of people looking for puppies surged in the last couple of years, with around one-in-three UK households now owning at least one four-legged friend.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One thing to consider before welcoming a particular breed of dog into your home is that some pups are complete dirt-magnets - having never met a puddle of mud they don’t love, or something decomposing that they haven’t wanted a roll in.
A recent scientific study by Jeep surveyed dog owners to see which dogs collected most muck while out on a walk.
So here are, scientifically, the 10 muckiest breeds of dog.
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1. Yorkshire Terrier
A small dog that's big on getting mucky, the Yorkshire Terrier's coat seems to soak up mud and dirt like a sponge. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
2. Bearded Collie
Just when you think you've washed all the mud and grot of your Bearded Collie, you suddenly realise there's more hidden in that gorgeous coat (when it inevitably falls onto the carpet). Photo: Canva/Getty Images
3. Miniature Pinscher
Many Miniature Pinscher owners have been left asking themselves how such a small dog can get quite so dirty. The answer, it seems, is 'quite easily'. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
4. Border Collie
Famed for being superb sheep dogs, the average Border Collie would happily live in the mud if it could. Photo: Canva/Getty Images